3 days ago
Powys girl climbs Brecon Beacons mountain for dad 'Benny'
A schoolgirl from hay-on-Wye hiked Pen y Fan on Father's Day in memory of her dad after he passed away earlier this year.
Edee Morris, a 12-year-old from Hay-on-Wye, raised £640 for Wales Air Ambulance by hiking up the tallest peak in South Wales on Father's Day, as a tribute to her dad after he passed away from a brain bleed in January.
Her father Karl, better known to friends and family as Benny, had the brain bleed at home but was taken by Wales Air Ambulance to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, but despite the best efforts of medics he passed away three days later.
In tribute to her father, Edee wanted to raise funds for the charity that helped get him to hospital and set herself the challenge of hiking Pen y Fan, supported on the day by friends and family to go above her fundraising target of £600.
Edee's sister Georgie O'Hagan said: 'It was a fantastic day, none of us trained so it was a bit ruthless at times. But we were doing it in memory of Edee's dad and for the Wales Air Ambulance, which is a vital service, so it made it worthwhile.
'We're very proud of Edee, it was an emotional day and emotions were high, especially with it being on Father's Day. Benny's death is still very raw, but the fundraiser helped us all come together and we're very proud.'
Benny was remembered as a caring man who continued to help people even after he passed away, with organ donations saving the lives of three people who spent years on the transplant waiting list.
Hannah Bartlett, Individual Giving Manager for the Wales Air Ambulance, added: 'Congratulations to Edee for hiking Pen y Fan in memory of her father, Benny. What a lovely way to honour his memory. At just 13-years-old Edee has shown so much strength to want to raise funds for our charity just months after losing her father.
'Thank you to Edee for raising an incredible amount of money for the Wales Air Ambulance. Your support will help us to continue to be there for the people of Wales when they need us the most. We appreciate your support and we're sure your dad would be very proud of you.
'Thank you to everyone who supported Edee on the day and donated to her fundraiser.'
